WATCH THIS EVERYDAY AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE - Denzel Washington Motivational Speech 2023

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking risks and embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. They recount personal experiences and historical examples, such as Thomas Edison's journey to the light bulb, to inspire graduates to pursue their passions without fear of setbacks. The message is clear: to achieve greatness, one must be willing to fall forward, learn from failures, and persist in the face of challenges.

Takeaways

• 🛡️ Taking risks in life is essential for finding what is truly worthwhile, as suggested by the speaker's personal philosophy and Nelson Mandela's quote.
• 🌟 It's important to pursue a life of passion and not to settle for less than what one is capable of, even if it means stepping outside of comfort zones.
• 🔄 The concept of having a 'plan B' or something to fall back on is challenged; instead, the speaker encourages falling forward to see what lies ahead.
• 🔄 Consistency is crucial for achieving goals, and the speaker emphasizes the importance of persistently doing what one is passionate about.
• 💡 The idea of thinking 'outside the box' is promoted as a way to avoid being limited by conventional thinking and to embrace creativity and innovation.
• 🚫 Failure should not be feared; it is a part of the journey towards success, as illustrated by the story of Thomas Edison's 1,000 failed experiments before inventing the light bulb.
• 🏅 Success often comes after many failures, as the speaker's own experience in acting demonstrates, with perseverance being key to eventual breakthroughs.
• 👻 The potential for unfulfilled potential is highlighted, urging individuals to consider the 'ghosts' of missed opportunities that could haunt them at the end of life.
• 🌍 The world needs the help and contributions of the young, with the speaker calling on graduates to use their talents, time, and resources to make a difference.
• 🔄 Failure can be a guide for finding one's path in life, as it was for the speaker who found his calling after a series of academic and career setbacks.
• 💪 The speaker encourages embracing failure as an inevitable part of life and a necessary step towards achieving success and realizing one's potential.

Q & A

What is the main message of the speaker regarding taking risks in life?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking risks and not settling for a life that's less than one's potential. He encourages falling forward rather than having a fallback plan, as it allows for growth and learning from failures.

What does the speaker suggest about the concept of having something to fall back on?

The speaker questions the idea of having a fallback plan, arguing that if one is going to fall, they should fall forward to see what they will hit, which symbolizes learning from the experience and moving forward.

What does the speaker mean by 'thinking outside the box'?

The speaker uses the phrase 'thinking outside the box' to encourage creativity and innovation, suggesting that one should not be afraid to take unconventional approaches to problem-solving and life challenges.

How does the speaker relate the story of Thomas Edison to the theme of failure and success?

The speaker uses Thomas Edison's story of conducting 1,000 failed experiments before inventing the light bulb to illustrate that failure is a stepping stone to success and should be embraced as part of the journey.

What is the significance of the speaker's audition experience for a Broadway musical?

The audition experience, despite the failure, demonstrates the speaker's persistence and determination. It shows that even after failing, one should continue to pursue their passion and not give up.

What does the speaker mean by 'you will catch a break'?

The phrase 'you will catch a break' suggests that with persistence and continuous effort, opportunities will eventually come, and one will experience success.

How does the speaker connect the idea of failure to the acting business?

The speaker points out that in the acting business, one fails all the time, but it's important not to quit. The failures are part of the process and are necessary to achieve success.

What is the speaker's view on the inevitability of failure?

The speaker believes that failure is inevitable in life and should be embraced as it leads to growth and eventual success. He encourages the audience to take risks and not fear failure.

What is the significance of the 'ghosts representing unfulfilled potential' metaphor?

The metaphor of 'ghosts representing unfulfilled potential' is used to illustrate the consequences of not taking risks and pursuing one's dreams, suggesting that one should live life to the fullest and not leave any regrets.

What does the speaker urge the graduates to do with their talents and gifts?

The speaker urges the graduates to use their talents, gifts, time, and resources to make a difference in the world, emphasizing that the world needs their help and contributions.

How does the speaker's personal story of academic struggles relate to the theme of the speech?

The speaker's personal story of struggling academically and finding his path later in life exemplifies the idea that failure and setbacks can lead to self-discovery and eventual success.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Embracing Risk and Failure for Success

The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking risks and not being afraid to fail as a path to success. They reference Nelson Mandela's words about not playing small and the necessity of pushing beyond one's comfort zone. The concept of having a 'plan B' is challenged, advocating instead for falling forward to learn from failures. The speaker uses the nine-dot puzzle as a metaphor for thinking outside the box and cites examples like Thomas Edison's perseverance and the importance of goals in turning dreams into reality. They also share personal anecdotes from their acting career, illustrating the inevitability of failure and the importance of resilience and persistence in the face of it.

05:02

🌏 The Global Impact and Personal Prophecy

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the global need for help and the responsibility of the younger generation to contribute to solving these issues. They mention their recent visit to South Africa and the stark reality of poverty, extending the call to action to various regions around the world. The speaker then transitions to a personal story about their academic struggles and a life-changing prophecy from an elder woman, which ultimately led them to a successful career in acting and public speaking. The paragraph concludes with an encouragement to the youth to take risks, be open to opportunities, and to give their all, with the reminder to 'fall forward' when faced with setbacks.

Keywords

💡Risks

Risks refer to the potential for loss or negative outcomes in various situations. In the context of the video, taking risks is portrayed as essential for personal growth and achieving a life that is meaningful and aligned with one's capabilities. The script emphasizes that without taking risks, one cannot truly live a life to its fullest potential, as exemplified by Nelson Mandela's quote about passion and playing small.

💡Passion

Passion is a strong emotional drive or enthusiasm for something. The video encourages viewers to pursue what they are passionate about, suggesting that this is a key ingredient for living a fulfilling life. The speaker argues that one should not settle for less and should instead aim for a life that is driven by their passions, as this is where true motivation and satisfaction lie.

💡Consistency

Consistency is the practice of doing something regularly and persistently. The script mentions that without consistency, one will never achieve their goals. It implies that taking risks and being passionate are important, but they must be coupled with consistent action to lead to success.

💡Failure

Failure is the state or condition of not meeting a desired objective or goal. The video script uses failure as a central theme, suggesting that it is an inevitable part of life and a necessary step towards success. It encourages embracing failure as a learning experience and a stepping stone to achieving one's dreams.

💡Outside the Box

To 'think outside the box' means to think creatively and unconventionally, rather than adhering to traditional ideas or methods. The speaker uses this phrase to encourage viewers to be innovative and not be afraid to challenge the status quo, as this is how breakthroughs and progress are made.

💡Dreams

Dreams, in this context, represent aspirations or ambitions. The video emphasizes that having big dreams is important, but they must be coupled with setting and achieving goals to turn them into reality. The script warns that without goals, dreams remain just that—unfulfilled aspirations.

💡Goals

Goals are specific, measurable objectives that one aims to achieve. The script highlights the importance of setting goals to give direction and purpose to one's dreams. It suggests that without goals, dreams lack the structure and intent needed to be realized.

💡Embrace

To embrace something means to accept or support it willingly. In the video, the speaker encourages the audience to embrace failure, suggesting that it is a natural and valuable part of the journey towards success. Embracing failure implies acknowledging its inevitability and using it as a source of growth.

💡Talent

Talent refers to a person's natural aptitude or skill in a particular area. The script speaks to the importance of recognizing and using one's talents, implying that each individual has unique abilities that can be harnessed to make a difference in the world.

💡Potential

Potential is the capacity to develop or achieve more in the future. The video uses the metaphor of 'ghosts of unfulfilled potential' to illustrate the regret one might feel if they do not utilize their abilities and opportunities. It serves as a call to action to maximize one's potential and make the most of one's life.

💡Guts

Guts, in this context, refers to courage or the ability to face difficult or challenging situations with determination. The speaker challenges the audience to have the guts to fail, suggesting that this courage is necessary for taking risks and achieving success.

💡Prophecy

A prophecy is a prediction or a forecast of the future, often associated with spiritual or supernatural insight. In the script, a prophecy serves as a turning point for the speaker, providing direction and motivation to pursue a path that leads to speaking to millions of people through his work.

Highlights

Emphasizing the importance of taking risks in life for it to be worthwhile, as quoted from Nelson Mandela.

The concept of not having a fallback plan but instead falling forward to see what one will hit.

The necessity of consistency in order to achieve completion of goals.

Encouragement to pursue passions and take chances without fear of failure.

The story of an IQ test involving nine dots and the importance of thinking outside the box.

The idea that failure is a stepping stone towards success, illustrated with the example of Reggie Jackson's strikeouts.

Thomas Edison's 1,000 failed experiments leading to the invention of the light bulb.

The inevitability of failure and the importance of embracing it as part of the journey to success.

A personal anecdote about failing an audition for a Broadway musical due to not being able to sing.

The importance of perseverance and not quitting despite repeated failures.

The story of eventually succeeding in a play at the same theater where a failure occurred 30 years prior.

The message that every graduate has the potential to succeed but must have the courage to fail.

The hypothetical scenario of unfulfilled potential represented as ghosts at one's deathbed.

The call to action for young people to use their talents, time, and resources to help the world.

The personal story of failing academically and the turning point that led to a successful career in acting.

The spiritual prophecy from an elder that foretold the speaker's future success in reaching millions.

The encouragement for the youth to take risks, be open to ideas, and define themselves through their actions.

The final advice to never be discouraged, to give everything one has, and to fall forward when faced with setbacks.

Transcripts

[Music]

i found that nothing in life

is worthwhile

unless you take risks

nothing

nelson mandela said there is no passion

to be found

playing small

in settling for a life that's less

than the one you're capable of living

now i'm sure in your experiences in

school and applying to college and

picking your major and deciding what you

want to do with life i'm sure people

have told you to make sure you have

something to fall back on make sure you

got something to fall back on honey

but i never understood that concept

having something to fall back on

if i'm going to fall

i don't want to fall back on anything

i want to fall forward

i figure at least this way i'll see what

i'm going to hit

without consistency

you'll never finish

so do what you feel passionate about

passionate about

take chances

don't be afraid to fail there's an old

iq test was nine dots

and you had to draw five lines with a

pencil within these nine dots

without lifting the pencil

the only way to do it was to go outside

the box

don't be afraid to

think outside the box don't be afraid to

fail

big

to dream

big but remember

dreams

without goals

are just dreams

reggie jackson struck out 2600 times in

his career the most

in the history of baseball but you don't

hear about the strikeouts people

remember the home runs

[Music]

fall forward

thomas edison conducted 1 000 failed

experiments did you know that i didn't

know that

because the one thousand and first was

the light bulb

[Music]

fall forward

every failed experiment is one step

closer to success

got to take risks and i'm sure you've

probably heard that before but i want to

talk to you about why that's so

important

you will fail at some point in your life

it you will lose

you will embarrass yourself

you will suck at something there's no

doubt about it

and i know that's probably not a

traditional message for a graduation

ceremony but hey

i'm telling you embrace it because it's

inevitable

in the acting business you fail all the

time early on in my career

i auditioned for a part in a broadway

musical

perfect role for me i thought

except for the fact that i can't sing

i didn't get the job

but here's the thing

i didn't quit

[Music]

i didn't fall back

i walked out of there to prepare for the

next audition and the next audition and

the next audition

i prayed

i prayed

and i prayed

but i continued to fail

and fail

and fail but it didn't matter because

you know what

there's an old saying you hang around

the barber shop long enough sooner or

later you're gonna get a haircut

so you will catch a break and i did

catch a break

[Music]

last year

i did a play called fences on broadway

but here's the kicker

it was at the court theater

it was at the same theater

that i failed that first audition

30 years prior

the point is every graduate here today

has the training and the talent to

succeed

but do you have the guts

to fail

if you don't fail

you're not even trying

[Music]

i'll say it again if you don't fail

you're not even trying

to get something you never had you have

to do something you never did

imagine you're on your deathbed

and standing around your deathbed

are the ghosts representing your

unfulfilled potential

the ghost of the ideas you never acted

on

the ghost of the talents you didn't use

and they're standing around your bed

angry

disappointed

and upset

they say we we came to you because you

could have brought us to life they say

and now we have to go to the grave

together

so i ask you today

[Music]

how many ghosts are going to be around

your bed when your time comes

[Music]

i just got back from south africa it's a

beautiful country

but there are places there with terrible

private poverty that need help

and africa is just the tip of the

iceberg the middle east needs your help

japan needs your help alabama needs your

help tennessee needs your help louisiana

needs your help philadelphia needs your

help

the world needs a lot and we need it

from you

we really do we need it from you young

people i mean i'm not speaking for the

rest of us up here but i know i'm

getting a little grayer

we need it from you the young people

because remember this

you got to get out there

you got to give it everything you got

whether it's your time

your your your talent

your prayers

or your treasures

what are you going to do with what you

have i'm not talking about how much you

have

some of you are business majors some of

you are theologians nurses sociologists

some of you have money some of you have

patience some of you have kindness some

of you have loved some of you have the

gift of long-suffering whatever it is

whatever your gift is

what are you going to do

with what you have

all right now here's my last point about

failure

sometimes

it's the best way

to figure out where you're going

your life will never be a straight path

i began at fordham university as a

pre-med student

i took a course called the

[Music]

cardiac morphogenesis i couldn't read it

i couldn't say it i surely couldn't pass

it

so then i decided to go into pre-law

then journalism and with no academic

focus my grades took off in their own

direction

i was a 1.8 gpa

and the university very politely

suggested that it might be better to

take some time off

i was 20 years old i was at my lowest

point

and then one day and i remember the

exact day march 27 1975 i was helping my

mother in her beauty shop my mother

owned a beauty shop up in mount vernon

and there's there was this older woman

who was considered one of the elders in

the town and i didn't know her

personally but i was looking in the

mirror and every time i looked in the

mirror i could see her behind me and she

was staring at me

she just kept looking at me every time i

looked at her she kept giving me these

strange looks

so she finally took the dryer off her

head and said

she said something i'll never forget

she said young boy

i have a prophecy a spiritual prophecy

she said you are going to travel the

world

and speak to millions of people

[Music]

and in the years that follow just as

that woman prophesies i have traveled

the world and i have spoken to millions

of people through my movies

millions who up until this day

couldn't see me

who up till this day i couldn't see

while i was talking to them and they

couldn't see me they could only see the

movie

they couldn't see the real me

[Music]

but i see youth today

[Music]

and i'm encouraged by what i see

i'm strengthened

by what i see

[Music]

because taking risk is not just about

going for a job

it's also about knowing what you know

and what you don't know

it's about being open to people

and to ideas

the chances you take

the people you meet

the people you love

the faith that you have

that's what's going to define you

never be discouraged

never hold back

give everything you got

and when you fall throughout life

remember this

fall forward

[Music]

you